Should I sell my 2nd gen and buy a 3rd???

okay... left field option. find a 2nd gen Tacoma DC, lower miles. and then take what you can off the access cab and return that to stock and make some $ back?

 

considered this, but the chances of me finding a decent truck that I want with a stick is very, very low. It could happen though…

Seems like the bottom line is the DC isn’t much of an upgrade space-wise anyways. I’m gonna head to the dealer this weekend and take a look for myself.

 

The DC is definitely an upgrade in terms of interior space. But is it worth the effort for a growing family?

Many people make it work. But I vote full size truck, 4Runner, etc if you are looking to make the family comfortable. But then you lose the manual.

 

I had a 2013 TRD Off Road Access Cab and had it paid off for about a year. Fully modded with armour, soundproofing, wheels and tires, suspension, even a custom dog setup for the back with hidden ramp.

I traded it in because I saw a black on black on black manual double cab 2020 with a hood scoop. I got 75% of the value covered on trade in. While I was signing the paperwork, there were three separate parties wanting to buy the truck without a test drive.

Sometimes you just have to wait for your unicorn.

 

for your use case it sounds like you are in tundra crewmax or sequoia territory

 

My $0.02 from someone who sold my Subaru STI hatchback and bought a new DC TRD Sport Long Box in 2013 with two kids who are now 12 & 14. But have also owned a 2nd large SUV during all that/this time (2 Acadia's and now on a 2020 Palisade). When going on camping trips in the early years, it was definitely quite tight (plus dog), but we made it work. The SUV was there for any travel we did that didn't need the truck bed or bikes in the back. My wife says if she was to do it all over again she would NOT get an SUV with a 3rd row because then you aren't the one always driving/carpooling everyone else’s kids around! I'm not sure I have that same opinion/view.


Anyway, I've thought about going to a full size truck but really, the only time it gets tight is 2-3 times per year. The rest of the time, it's 100% fine and the perfect size for my DD to work and up to the ski hill. So I didn't/don't feel that going up to a full size just so that we are more comfortable 3 times per year was/is worth it.


My family is average in height (I'm 5.10') so that's probably why it has worked. Anyone larger (as some have already said), I can see that being a problem.

If you can only have one family vehicle, then a full size truck would be the way to go. If you can have two, (and aren't giants) then switching to a DC LB and adding in a SUV would be the only two options I would look at.

 

You have a Subi, so why do you NEED to get rid of the truck? Im not tracking...nope, cant bring the wife, the dog, the kid and friends in the truck. and you WONT drive an auto, sounds like this is a YOU decision, not a NEED decision, not trying to be harsh, but man....1st world problems...if you WANT to have a manual Tacoma to bring the wife, the kids the dogs etc etc...then yep, you want something else. Go drive a 3rd gen and see what you think, and then SIT in the backseat and see what you think...I have a double cab, and Im 5'10, and the insides are small...with little leg room for anyone back there unless you scoot the seats WAY forward.

 

This is correct. This has less to do with “need” as opposed to want. I WANT to be able to take my truck. I have a nice truck and really enjoy being able to take it places. Especially to our cabin. There are lots of trails and off-roading up there. 100% first world problem, and definitely not a something that’s insurmountable.

Gonna head up to the dealership this weekend and do just that.

I’m 5-11” 170 and my wife is 5-8” 140. Our daughter is still pretty small, but that back seat of the AC is not very comfortable any way you look at it.

 

I hate to tell you this, but with kids, what you prefer/want/like/hate/stoked on/not stocked on/ ALL goes out the window! It's not about you anymore

I wish I still had my STI

 

I went from a 2011 WRX sedan to the 2015 Taco. Bought the subie new, then bought my house a year later. Realized really quickly that as a homeowner who does all of my home repairs and remodeling, I needed a truck. And this truck has been awesome. Just wish the inside was a little roomier

 

My family is currently in the same boat. I have a 2014 AC that is paid off, 88k miles, great condition, don't want to get rid of it. BUT, with our 1 year old in a rear facing car seat, she/the car seat fits but no one can sit in the passenger front seat. So we use it as an emergency child vehicle if my wife is out with our other small SUV - i mean its super small so doesn't work with family road trips including our dog (Lexus NX300h). I considered trading my truck in for a 4runner... but then i was thinking, my daughter won't be in a rear facing seat forever... so if we can just stick it out until shes forward facing i think the truck will work while shes at least still young/small. This won't be a long long term solution, but buys us probably at least 4 more years.

Our situation is a little different as i recently (like so recently we'll take possession in March '23) scored my parents 2004 4runner V8 Limited they've owned since new. Its in great condition and they are selling it to us for super cheap where we can keep our other two vehicles and then get rid of it and one other vehicle like i said, 4-ish more years from now.

I feel your pain in not wanting to get rid of what you have, but it really isn't practical with a growing family. I would try to keep it and figure out another cheap solution.

 

oh man sounds like me rolling in my access cab 90 Toyota pick up. kids got to big and no way 2 car seats were going to fit. so grabbed a Tacoma dual cab, because my wife hated my $450 hyundai santa fe thought interior room with car seats i think is better than my tacoma

 

FWIW, I love our 4runner. my fiance was set on one for a while. always wanted a limted but never could justify the 54k price tag. had low option premium on order that we turned down when a slightly used limited showed up locally for a good deal so we sent it.

our limited is super comfy, has all the bells and whistles with the 4runner "go anywhere" capability and still pulls 19MPG

 

I also went to the nearest Toyota dealership to test fit the car seat into a 3rd gen double cab Tacoma as well as a new 4runner. In the Tacoma, it fit with the passenger front seat being useful, but it was tight. The 4runner definitely had more room... but when my wife and i sat down at ran the numbers, it would be damn near $50k for the Tacoma and $55k for the 4runner after taxes. We got lucky with my parents coming along and selling us their old 4runner, but if that wasn't an option we probably were going to be stuck trading in my truck and buying either a new Tacoma or 4runner. Again, the Tacoma did work, it is tight but i like the idea of having the bed (also a home owner).

 

I don’t regret buying my DC Taco but with my boys growing…definitely needing something bigger. I vote buying a 4th Gen 4Runner, even a GX470….1st Gen Sequoia…double cab 04-06 Tundra.

 

You have a wife and child now, that is your priority , not the damn truck. What is best for the family as a whole not what is best cause I want it. It sounds like you really need 2 vehicles, one for you and one for the family. Look into a used in good shape Honda or Toyota as a second vehicle/family vehicle. If you can’t afford two vehicle’s then dump the truck and get a vehicle that suits the needs of your family. Later when the financial picture improves get a truck.

 

the only issue with the gen 1 sequoia/tundra is that they have 7.5" front diffs, v8's, and weigh 5500# or more. if the OP really wheels it hard and isnt careful with the throttle he'll be up shit creek and PISSED that he sold his taco with an 8" front diff...

 

at that point isn't the off road go to "Tons and 40's"

 

With one kid a double cab is doable IMO, I've done it for 9 years. I certainly think a double cab is worth the space over an access cab. Taking a friend on an overnight outing does make it more challenging. While a 4runner or other SUV certainly has advantages, for me as a homeowner I had to have a truck bed. A useful tool I found is a pair of large dry storage containers for the truck bed. Adds more dry storage space for weekend adventures, and you just take them out of the truck when you don't need them. It doesn't give you the storage of an SUV, but can help take the edge off of the cramped cab full of bags and people.

 

Tell them to put all the numbers on a piece of paper to look them
It would be hard giving up a 2015 with 80K and paid off
But if the 19 is not far away from price and miles. Do it